Inhalation carcinogenesis of repeated exposures to high-fired 244CmO2 in rats

Rats were given single or multiple (10 exposures at about 21-d intervals) inhalation exposures to 244CmO2 starting at 70 d of age. Mean lung and bone doses (+/- standard deviation) were 1.4 +/- 1.3 and 0.74 +/- 1.1 Gy, respectively, in the single exposure group, and 1.8 +/- 2.9 and 0.53 +/- 0.74 Gy, respectively, in the multiple exposure group. After cessation of exposure in the multiple exposure group, mean cumulative lifetime radiation doses to lung and skeleton were not significantly different in the two groups. The percentages of rats with lung and bone tumors were 9.1 and 12%, respectively, in the single exposure group, and 20 and 24%, respectively, in the multiple exposure group. However, the multiple exposure regimen did not significantly alter survival times or tumor incidences in lung or bone from a single inhalation exposure to 244CmO2 when survival patterns were taken into account.